Falkirk Council: Labour councillors vow to oppose closure of leisure facilities

Since the announcement that the council could close four high school swimming pools as part of a review that will see 133 council properties close or transfer, Labour councillors have met coaches and parents of children who would be affected by the closure. The Labour group is opposing the closure, saying that after almost three years of Covid related restrictions, children and young people need to be able to get together and engage in healthy exercise activities.

Councillor Jack Redmond said: “Many athletes have practised and competed in pools in the Falkirk area over the years. Some have gone on to national and international competition successes. This opportunity should not be denied to future children and young people in the area.

“It has been suggested that they will be able to use the other pools available, but it is not realistic to bus children from school to school for swimming activities. The swimming groups would not be able to offer as extensive a service as they currently do.”

When the council’s strategic property review was first raised at a meeting of the council’s executive, the Labour group asked that the proposals be taken to a meeting of the full council to enable more detailed scrutiny.

The Labour group leader, Councillor Anne Hannah, said: “Our amendment was opposed by the SNP administration and the Conservatives, although the executive did agree that future reports will go to full Council. Falkirk Labour Group is opposed to the closure of 133 properties including four school swimming pools as outlined in the report.

“There may be some properties proposed for disposal that are already agreed as surplus to requirements, and we will not oppose this. However, we cannot agree with the closure of so many community centres and other facilities.

“We have met with local community groups in relation to the proposed closure of community centres, and with swimming groups – all opposed to the closure of the school swimming pools.

“The Council Plan lays out a priority of ‘supporting stronger and healthier communities’, which includes within it a commitment to help people participate in activities to improve their health and well-being. Swimming and water sports across the district clearly do this at a large scale in Falkirk district.”

Falkirk Conservative councillors have also said publicly that they will not back the plans to close the swimming pools.

While the swimming pool closures were announced as part of the council’s strategic property review, the decision on their future will be taken separately. This is because the pools are not eligible to be taken over by communities through the asset transfer process, which the council hopes will happen to other buildings.

The final decision on whether or not the pools will close for good will be taken at a future meeting of Falkirk Council, rather than the education executive as originally planned.

Updates on the strategic property review will also go to Falkirk Council.